Textile Fragment
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk, cotton; embroidered
Dimensions
H. 16 5/8 in. (42.2 cm) W. 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Nanette B. Kelekian, in honor of Olga Raggio, 2002
Accession Number
2002.494.707
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Textile Fragment* from the 18th century offers a glimpse into the masterful embroidery traditions of Islamic art. Crafted from silk and cotton, it 16⅝ × 14⅜ inches (42.2 × 36.5 cm), showcasing the delicate interplay of luxurious fibers that were prized in the Islamic world for their sheen, durability, and symbolic richness. Silk, often imported along trade routes, evoked opulence and status, while cotton provided a versatile base for intricate needlework. In the 18th century, such embroidered textiles were integral to daily life and ceremony, adorning garments, furnishings, or...